With Bixi’s baby steps and an ever-increasing demand for bike lanes, it seems that bicycles have gained momentum as a primary source of transportation in Toronto streets. To kick off Toronto Bike Month, our choices for some of this summer’s slickest rides:
Trek Earl
Its name is Earl. This steel-framed single-speed has a flip-flop rear hub, for both fixed-gear and single-speed setups. But its secret weapon is the split top tube, which can holster a U-lock or crack open a surreptitious beverage. The Earl comes in black or blue, like the officer who might have a problem with said afternoon libation.
Duke’s Cycle, 625 Queen St. W., 416-504-6138, dukescycle.ca, $509.99; Trek Bicycle Store of Toronto, 2063 Yonge St., 416-481-8735, trektoronto.ca, $489.99
umm the one in the picture has breaks!
June 7, 2011 at 4:12 pm | by TimGorgeous bikes, but is there really nothing out there that’s more accessibly priced?
June 7, 2011 at 8:31 pm | by Nathalie-Roze & Co.All very cool, but too pricey. I’d rather see the $20 bikes that you can get on Craigslist. Perhaps a different title for this article should be, “Bikes for those who earn over $80k”.
June 8, 2011 at 8:44 am | by Meow MeowI own a Raleigh One Way and I absolutely love it! I bought it for $600 though:) Shop around!!
Also, to people who would rather spend $20 on a bike – think of it as an investment. For me, Spending $600 on a bike was a lot and I definitely do not earn $80k, but it’s saved me $$$ on Metropasses, and precious time otherwise wasted on waiting for stupid streetcars.
I had once purchased a vintage bike on Craigslist for $200, although it had a good run for 2 years before my new bike, I spent about another $200 for replacing tires and repairs here and there. With the new bike, at least I have a peace of mind that the bike isn’t going to fall apart at least for the next 10 years (warranty) and I get free tune-ups at the store for a few years.
June 8, 2011 at 8:53 am | by Ryeit’s an investment until it gets stolen… thank you very much, i’d rather not spend $600 on a bike that’s be gone in a month or two.
June 8, 2011 at 11:26 am | by meow.kissIf you are regularly locking up your bike in Downtown Toronto, spending more than $300 is just idiotic. It’ll be stolen in no time at all.
June 8, 2011 at 12:17 pm | by LLIf toronto life want to do a guide on bicycle helmets I’ll show what I use.
June 8, 2011 at 1:38 pm | by Edvaard WuI bought a Linus last year at Bikes on Wheels and I love it!
June 8, 2011 at 3:32 pm | by NattyVery nice city ride. Looks fast, too. Locking your bike properly goes a long way toward discouraging the Igor Kenks of this world.
June 9, 2011 at 11:52 am | by Jehr the BehrIf you’re buying a $20 bike from Craigslist, what are the odds that bike isn’t stolen goods?
June 9, 2011 at 7:06 pm | by nwYou can easily commute on your bike to work 7 months of the year (or 12 like me), that will save you >$700 on metropasses. You can get a fantastic bike for <$700. Plus this doesn't include the many other benefits that are associated with riding such as improved health, more alertness at work, reduced stress, etc.
To find a great deal go to bike shops and ask for past years models, they are brand new, but heavily discounted.
June 9, 2011 at 10:22 pm | by cxxSix bicycles stolen.
Kryptonite locks.
If you get in my face with pride about our fantastic city, you will be met with bitterness.
And yes, I am still a cyclist. In the end, of course, it cost less than the motor vehicles I have owned. But really, encouraging people to enter the cyclist culture without telling them about the emotional pain involved when their trusty steed suddenly disappears…
June 9, 2011 at 11:48 pm | by OhRoseDalewell, that’s just unfair.
To reduce the chance of theft, you need a cheap looking bike. Better yet, get a cheap bike.
You can buy a bike for $100 (plus tax) at Canadian Tire. Add fenders and a carrying rack to make it look even nerdier. Plus a bell. Plus lights if planning on using it at night.
It’s not the most comfortable bike, and it’s a bit heavy. And it may need repairs sooner than a more expensive bike – but maybe not sooner than that more expensive bike gets stolen.
June 13, 2011 at 10:04 pm | by PierceNice bikes; but like most have said, they will more than likely get stolen.
I had my new shiny road bike stolen from outside of work a few years back. Even with a couple of locks on it.
If you buy one of those nice bikes, please don’t leave it outside. Take it inside.
I learned my lesson. My city commuter bike is now a 10 year old Canadian Tire special. Does the trick. But a bit heavy and very ugly.
June 16, 2011 at 2:25 pm | by canuckAt these outrageous prices, these are inaccessible to the vast majority of the people. Thus, the comparison to $20 bikes on Craigslist is absurd. For anyone considering cycling for health or environmental reasons, they’re not going to dive into the market by splurging on these high-end bikes. It’d be like buying a Porsche as a new driver. The article would be FAR more helpful & accessible if it had profiled bikes below $300 or highlighted features consumers should look for.
June 19, 2011 at 9:16 pm | by Daily Commuter